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Post by sherlock on Jan 25, 2019 15:06:12 GMT -5
The bonus post I wrote (which went up on Tuesday) was originally intended to just be the first part of an essay talking about the first three stories in the series: 'Phoenix,' 'Frost Giant's Daughter' and 'Tower of the Elephant.'
But it just keep going (yeah, I'm a wordy writer) and ended up being more than enough just to talk about 'Phoenix.'
I still plan on writing another bonus post, talking about stuff from the other two stories.
Jason M Waltz of Rogue Blades Entertainment keeps things going this coming Monday.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2019 1:59:02 GMT -5
I always found it fascinating that REH dropped Thoth-Amon early on in the Conan yarns and subsequently the evolution of the character in the pastiche works, both in prose and comics into a Doctor Doom type character. Realistically, I think it highly unlikely Thoth-Amon would survive an encounter with the Cimmerian.
I was really disappointed with DH when they published the Thoth-Amon mini-series so early in their acquisition of Conan.
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Post by Grim Wanderer on Jan 28, 2019 11:28:51 GMT -5
I'm rather glad Howard dropped Thoth-Amon. I think, had Howard continued to write Conan stories, that having Thoth-Amon as some sort of nemesis for Conan, would have reduced Conan to a rather cartoonish character. I always hate it when a villain continues to survive to reappear over and over again.
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Post by johnnypt on Jan 28, 2019 12:15:26 GMT -5
I always found it fascinating that REH dropped Thoth-Amon early on in the Conan yarns and subsequently the evolution of the character in the pastiche works, both in prose and comics into a Doctor Doom type character. Realistically, I think it highly unlikely Thoth-Amon would survive an encounter with the Cimmerian. I was really disappointed with DH when they published the Thoth-Amon mini-series so early in their acquisition of Conan. It was also interesting that he was still "there", warranting mentions in Haunter of the Ring and Hour of the Dragon, but that was it. Howard never felt any need to go back and do more with him. The DH mini was...ok, but not necessary. I see his existence playing out more like it was in those few pages in the Truman-Giorello Phoenix on the Sword rather than the mix of Star Wars & Lord of the Rings the mini had. DH thankfully used him sparingly after that. I think he only showed up once more in Conan #40 with Tsotha Lanti's head. Enjoying the series of articles so far, always good to see what other people get out of things that you might not have thought of.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2019 12:58:28 GMT -5
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Post by Grim Wanderer on Jan 28, 2019 13:04:18 GMT -5
This week Bob Jason makes the argument that The Tower of the Elephant is the best Conan story. I'm not convinced but it is a good argument.
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Post by johnnypt on Jan 28, 2019 13:36:20 GMT -5
Hard to believe a story that rose from the ashes of a rejected story (God in the Bowl) and a synopsis for an unwritten one (Hall of the Dead/Nestor) ended up as not only one of the best Conan stories (everyone's prerogative to which one is best), but a story that could be at home in a "Greatest American Short Stories" collection next to Mark Twain and O. Henry.
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Post by sherlock on Jan 29, 2019 5:13:29 GMT -5
Hi guys - I just want to point out that I'm not the writer of most essays in this series. I organized it and I post them because I'm a regular Black Gate blogger. Jason M Waltz wrote this week's post. I include the writer's name in the title each week.
I will have some 'extra' posts, as well as writing the entry on 'Rogues in the House.'
But I certainly don't want to receive the well-deserved credit due other folks.
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Post by keith on Jan 31, 2019 18:51:10 GMT -5
I'm following this series with a lot of interest. The story reviews so far have been great.
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Post by RBjason on Feb 2, 2019 16:00:49 GMT -5
This week Bob Jason makes the argument that The Tower of the Elephant is the best Conan story. I'm not convinced but it is a good argument. Thanks for sharing the announcement hun, and for your kind words, Grim. After Bobby and Fletcher, I wasn't certain my approach would be appreciated. Thanks also goes to Bob, er, Sherlock; his series finally got me to apply for membership at this elite club. I'm grateful to whomever it was approved my application.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2019 17:17:13 GMT -5
This week Bob Jason makes the argument that The Tower of the Elephant is the best Conan story. I'm not convinced but it is a good argument. Thanks for sharing the announcement hun, and for your kind words, Grim. After Bobby and Fletcher, I wasn't certain my approach would be appreciated. Thanks also goes to Bob, er, Sherlock; his series finally got me to apply for membership at this elite club. I'm grateful to whomever it was approved my application. Hello and welcome Jason.
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Post by Jason Aiken on Feb 2, 2019 20:34:16 GMT -5
I always found it fascinating that REH dropped Thoth-Amon early on in the Conan yarns and subsequently the evolution of the character in the pastiche works, both in prose and comics into a Doctor Doom type character. Realistically, I think it highly unlikely Thoth-Amon would survive an encounter with the Cimmerian. I was really disappointed with DH when they published the Thoth-Amon mini-series so early in their acquisition of Conan. It was also interesting that he was still "there", warranting mentions in Haunter of the Ring and Hour of the Dragon, but that was it. Howard never felt any need to go back and do more with him. The DH mini was...ok, but not necessary. I see his existence playing out more like it was in those few pages in the Truman-Giorello Phoenix on the Sword rather than the mix of Star Wars & Lord of the Rings the mini had. DH thankfully used him sparingly after that. I think he only showed up once more in Conan #40 with Tsotha Lanti's head. Enjoying the series of articles so far, always good to see what other people get out of things that you might not have thought of. I'm still a bit sad we never got to see the Prince confront Thoth-Amon in his Vizier persona to put a book end on the DH run. I agree that his origin mini wasn't necessary, though.
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Post by sherlock on Feb 4, 2019 10:14:14 GMT -5
'Hither Came Conan' continues this morning. John C. Hocking offers up his thoughts on "The Scarlet Citadel."
I've long been impressed with Howard's writing in this story. His descriptions of the battle scenes are fantastic. And I think that the speech which Conan gives to his kingly captors, is among the best prose in the entire Conan Canon.
Hocking's long-lost sequel to 'Conan & The Emerald Lotus,' 'Conan & the Living Plague' is going to be released by Perilous Worlds (I believe this year).
And a sixteen thousand-ish word novella is being printed in the new Conan the Barbarian graphic novel from Marvel. It takes place after 'Emerald Lotus.'
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Post by Grim Wanderer on Feb 4, 2019 11:12:24 GMT -5
John C gives us an excellent look at The Scarlet Citadel. There is an embarrassment of riches in this story to be sure, but John's take on what makes the story great is wonderful. I love the horror elements of the story as much as, if not more than, the battle scenes. Horror is not often associated with Howard by the world at large I think, but he should be given more recognition in the area.
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Post by emerald on Feb 5, 2019 21:06:20 GMT -5
Someone joked that I nattered on too much about that damn snake, but I couldn't help it. It's the perfect example of the kind of thing Howard did regularly that nobody much seems to mention. Everybody knows that REH can write combat, but his talent in casting a spell of horror and (especially) in skillfully constructing a story for maximum impact tend to be overlooked.
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